Charles Samuels | |
---|---|
Born | Sambo Combo Jimbour station, southern Queensland |
Died | 13 October 1912 Barambah |
Known for | Competitive athlete |
Height | 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
Charles Samuels (1863/1864–1912) was an Aboriginal Australian athlete known for being a pedestrianism practitioner and a competitive sprinter. [1] As an Aboriginal Australian, he grew up in a community of Baruŋgam people (Bunyinni people). He was also acquainted with the family of Australian politician Joshua Peter Bell. [1]
In 1887 Samuels raced and won against British celebrity runner Harry Hutchens. [2] In that same year he also raced against athletes Tom Malone and Ted Lazarus. [2] According to a researcher for the State Library of Queensland, it is believed that Samuels once met the Queensland Governor Sir William MacGregor in 1911. [2]
Samuels was regarded as a popular figure in Australian sports despite having a reputation for fighting and alcoholism. [1] However his reputation was ruined following his arrest and commitment to the Callan Park Hospital for the Insane after being diagnosed with " melancholia". [1] He died of tuberculosis in 1912. [1] His death was reported in The Brisbane Courier. [3]